10 Responses

Yep, called it. Although it’s not too hard to figure out considering everyone’s favorite Nick Diaz quote: “marijuana smoking doesn’t get in the way of my MMA career; my MMA career gets in the way of my marijuana smoking.”

And it’s still stupid as hell that marijuana is a banned substance in MMA. It gives you no advantages and doesn’t impact the sport at all. “Substance with potential for abuse” my ass. If it’s not getting in the way then it’s not abuse and it’s only getting in the way because it’s labeled as having the potential to abuse. Just doesn’t make sense.

This is going to be bad for Nick Diaz and cost him millions of dollars in the long run. This is the second time he has tested positive for marijuana in the state of Nevada. First time in 2/07 when he best Takanori Gomi in PRIDE.

@McMahon: Marijuana itself isn’t bad as far as legal drugs go, but would you want to fight against someone who was under the influence of anything? That could be pretty dangerous, and besides that I’m sure UFC doesn’t want the negative publicity associated with condoning the use of anything illegal. The bottom line is that Diaz new the rules when he joined the company, and must be punished for breaking them.

People on a whole, pro or anti marijuana, aren’t well educated on the matter of weed. In a sports environment it can only effect the person smoking it, then because of that, lack of performance – sharp motor skills and a clear mind – can be construed as perverting the outcome of the match. Therefore title legitimacy, rankings legitimacy and even betting can be effected greatly. Marijuana isn’t a black and white substance, it’s effects do vary from person to person but prolonged use will hinder motor skills, sharpness and motivation, so allowing it to be used every now and then legally or ignored, it will eventually tear down any legitimacy the sport has.

I’m not arguing that Diaz shouldn’t be punished. I’m arguing that the rules don’t make sense. UFC doesn’t have any say in these rules. Even when they travel and use independent companies, they’re still following the rules of the NSAC (although not legally bound to them, but that’s a more complicated story). I’m not sure what you think is so dangerous in that situation. Showing up high is pretty much a guaranteed loss, but I can’t see how it is going to put anyone at greater risk. All of the dangers of MMA are apparent and getting knocked out isn’t more dangerous if someone is high. On top of that, testing positive for marijuana in no way shows that he showed up high to fight.

@Dave
If the problem is a fear of long term use inhibiting motor skills and a clear mind then the committee should be concerned with making sure all fighters are up to a certain standard to be allowed to fight whether or not they’ve used drugs or not. On top of that, you don’t get to Diaz’s level by chance and he’s been smoking for the majority of his life. The only apparent problem it has caused is based entirely on the athletic committee’s judgment of it.

And I don’t understand how you’re trying to say it creates any illegitimacy. That claim just doesn’t really have anything to support it and I’m curious as to what you mean by it.

The legitimacy comes from the fact in a two man bout. One has took a drug which could contribute to a defeat due to uncharacteristic reaction times and mental clarity. So the winner truly cannot claim a true victory as the outcome may or may not have been different had the doped performer been able to perform at a true level of skill. These are careers defined by possessing optimal physical and mental skills. To simply allow a drug which hinders both of those is wrong. He’s cheating himself and everyone else in the industry. It could ultimately become a butterfly effect. Every bout needs to be indisputable in its outcome, including the condition of fighters, whether they’ve tried to enhance themselves illegally or have hindered themselves illegally.

Regardless of personal experiences with weed and regardless of whether Diaz has ‘done fine’ so far, the next performer might not be so lucky

why are people assuming he was high or used Marijuana just before the fight.
Marijuana can show up in a drug test even weeks after using it (depends on how often you use it) long after the affects are gone it can still show up even though you aren`t under any influence from it

i don`t see how someone who smoked some weed day/days/weeks before it, is not able/shouldn`t compete or be punished

how many people go to work with a hangover ? and nothing said about that
i dont take the stuff personally but think its stupid that its even illegal
i would actually have alcohol banned way before Marijuana

I’m just saying if you don’t punish it then some fighter will take liberties with the freedom and could smoke just before a fight or a few hours before. All I’m saying is if you simply allow it, you’re allowing the consequences however unlikely they are. This is a serious sport, lots at stake, Dana and the sports commissions cannot take the risk if there’s a 1 percent chance it backfires.